Hosted by Derrick Levasseur and Stephanie Harlowe
Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.
This concluding episode of the Jade Benning series examines the trial outcome, the state's circumstantial case, and the defense's strategy that ultimately failed to convince a Nashville jury. On July 1, 2026, Blaze Taylor was convicted of murdering Jade Benning and their unborn daughter Ivy after a seven-day trial. Hosts Stephanie Harlowe and Derrick Levasseur break down how the prosecution built their case through motive, means, and opportunity, highlighting critical evidence such as Jade's frantic phone call to her best friend Nigella Jackson asking what Blaze put in her drink, and testimony from a previous girlfriend regarding Blaze's past attempts to force a miscarriage. The defense argued reasonable doubt around drug access, scene contamination, and alternative timelines, but the hosts explain why the jury ultimately rejected these theories. Finally, the hosts discuss Blaze's sentencing to two consecutive life terms by Judge Steve Dozier and the likelihood of a future appeal based on evidentiary rulings.
Hosts set the stage for the final part of the Jade Benning series, outlining the key facts and questions about Blaze Taylor’s guilt.
Discussion of the lack of crime scene security, missing evidence, and inconclusive medical examiner findings.
Hosts analyze Blaze’s history of ultimatums and his possible motive to prevent Jade from having her baby.
Reconstruction of Blaze’s actions that night, including the cocaine plan and his behavior during Jade’s collapse.
Examination of the defense’s attempt to introduce alternative sources of cocaine and possible scene contamination.
Hosts critique the police investigation, highlighting potential bias and omissions in the detective’s report.
Discussion of how the jury weighed motive, means, and opportunity in determining Blaze’s guilt.
The hosts discuss how the prosecution argued that Jade’s cocaine was orally ingested and why the amount and method seemed implausible.
The conversation examines Jade’s seemingly normal evening with Blaze contrasted with her sudden cocaine ingestion.
Hosts debate the defense’s attempt to introduce Jade’s past relationships and sexual activity to influence jury perception.
The hosts analyze the relevance of Jade’s use of Bumble and how it was presented in court.
The defense’s toxicologist questions the reliability of cocaine and fentanyl testing, arguing for uncertainty in the evidence.
The hosts speculate on whether Jade noticed the cocaine’s taste or numbness before calling Blaze.
Circumstantial Case Challengesdata
The hosts outline the hurdles the prosecution faced, including no video footage, no recovered cup, and an undetermined medical examiner ruling.
Previous Girlfriend Testimonystory
Testimony from a former partner about Blaze asking for abortion pills to poison a drink proved to be a major nail in his coffin.
Lethal Cocaine Concentrationinsight
Medical testimony established that Jade ingested a massive oral dose of cocaine capable of causing unconsciousness within thirty minutes.
Crucial Phone Call to Friendstory
Jade's phone call to her best friend Nigella while experiencing symptoms provided the jury with direct insight into the moments before collapse.
Defense Drug Evidence Rebuttaldebate
The defense introduced text messages to show Jade's drug contacts, but investigators proved she was merely acting as a middleman for coworkers.
Consecutive Life Sentencesstrategy
Judge Dozier sentenced Blaze to two consecutive life sentences, determining that a concurrent sentence would provide no punishment for Ivy's death.
Potential Appellate Groundsinsight
The defense signaled an appeal, focusing heavily on prior bad acts testimony and evidentiary rulings regarding the victim's phone records.
“There was no eyewitness to anything being put into Jade's drink, no confession, no recovered poisoned drink or glassware, no surveillance footage.”
“He did this knowing that he's already planning a future with Xavier that does not include Jade. He never talked to Xavier about having a baby on the way, so it doesn't seem that it includes Ivy either.”
“The medical examiner, Dr. Aaron Carney, testified that Jade would have gone pulseless within 30 minutes of ingesting the high concentration of cocaine.”
“The prosecution's medical evidence pointed toward oral ingestion. If Jade wanted to take cocaine recreationally, why would she dissolve an enormous amount of it into her own drink?”
“She was happy. They were painting together. They were taking photographs, looking like a couple.”
“The defense also attacked the comforter testing. Obviously, the comforter had not remained inside a secured crime scene. A family friend removed it, bagged it, and later it entered police custody.”
“If Jade wanted to take cocaine recreationally, why would she dissolve an enormous amount of it into her own drink? That's not even the most obvious or conventional way that someone voluntarily using cocaine would consume it.”
“The jury reached a verdict after roughly two to two and a half hours.”
“The state sought life without the possibility of parole.”
“In practical terms, WSMV reported that the consecutive life sentences alone meant that Blaze would have to serve approximately 102 years before potential release eligibility, making the distinction between life and life without parole essentially pointless.”
On the night of February 25th, 2023, 24-year-old Jade Benning called one of her oldest and closest friends. She wasn't calling to catch up. In fact, for much of the call, it seemed as if Jade wasn't even speaking to her friend, and instead, this friend listened as Jade confronted the man standing inside her apartment with her: Blaise Taylor, a man who jade had recently reconnected with. A man who's child she was carrying. A man who would later call himself her boyfriend. Jade sounded confused, her speech was becoming rapidly impaired; she said she couldn't feel her legs. And then she asked Blaise a question that would eventually become the center of a murder investigation: What did you put in my drink?
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